German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will travel to Turkey next week for talks over Ankara’s crackdown following the failed coup.
Speaking to the German parliament, he announced that the visit will take place on Tuesday and said: “We must ask if the Turkish government’s approach is compatible with the minimum standards of the rule of law.”
Beyond diplomacy, Steinmeier said he is also putting forward a package of measures to “bolster civil society” in Turkey.
“When the existence of civil society is threatened, then democracy is also threatened,” said Steinmeier.
“That is our experience. We Germans know how important constitutionally guaranteed freedom is for journalism, culture and science. We also know how dangerous it is when these free spaces are closed off,” he said.
Relations between Ankara and Berlin have been strained in the wake of the 15 July failed military coup, with Germany repeatedly expressing concern over the scope of the crackdown.
Berlin last week summoned Turkey’s envoy after almost a dozen members of parliament from the main pro-Kurdish party were detained.
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